The United States announced on Wednesday that it will suspend immigrant visa applications for citizens of 75 countries, in the latest move by President Donald Trump targeting foreign entry into the country.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on X that the US is freezing all visa procedures for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, and Iran, citing a report by Fox News which said the decision applies to immigrant visas.
According to Fox News, the US State Department ordered a halt to visa issuance as part of efforts to strengthen screening of applicants who may become a burden on public assistance programs.
An internal State Department memo instructed US consulates to reject visa applications under existing laws until a comprehensive review of screening procedures is completed.
The suspension, set to begin on January 21, includes countries such as Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Tunisia and Yemen, and will remain in place indefinitely pending policy review.
